As planned I checked out of the okiya. Following Isamu's advice, I changed into warm clothes suitable for a motorcycle ride and met him, instead of his cat, by the bridge. Fresh from the shower Isamu had changed into dark jeans and a military green, crew neck, long sleeve shirt and black boots. He took my backpack and bowed to allow me back into the garden.

"Where are we going?"

"Hakone."

Isamu told me while we packed for our excursion that, according to legends, ...